Greek Black-Glazed Skyphos

Formed of sheet-gold with applied loop, a small pearl enclosed within the calyx. 0.97 grams, 16 mm



From the collection of a late Japanese collector, 1970s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Fruit were generally considered to be a symbol of sensuality, temptation and fertility; the giving and accepting of fruit may be regarded as a symbolic sexual act, or at least a prelude to marriage. It follows naturally that the pomegranate, with its innumerable fleshy seeds symbolising life and fecundity, was an attribute of Aphrodite.

Hollow-formed with textured body and four stub legs, conical nose and lateral flanges with impressed point eyes; discoid flange rim to the neck with incised petal detailing. 55 grams, 98 mm



Ex Mrs IM collection, nr 18 (widow of Leo Mildenberg), formed in Zurich, gift from her husband between 1975-2000. Acquired by the present owner from the above. This lot has been checked against the Interpol Database of stolen works of art and is accompanied by search certificate number no.12208-222174. This lot has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database, and is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Modelled in the round as a mounted warrior, the stylised horse modelled standing on stub legs, with a long neck and detailing to its eyes; the warrior holding a shield in his left hand, right hand and arm raised to eye level, wearing a crested helmet; restored and mounted on a custom-made display stand. 410 grams total, 16 cm high including stand



Acquired before 1990. From an old German collection. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.

Terracotta figurines of horse and rider were common grave offerings in Boeotia, northwest of Attica, particularly during the 6th century B.C. Representations of warriors on horseback were already widespread in the Geometric Period, and also widely employed in Cyprus in this same period. The image of our rider, although influenced by Cypriot designs, does not show typical Cypriot characteristics, and indeed his kausia cap suggests a northern Greek origin.